Multi-projectile assembly

ABSTRACT

A multi-projectile assembly has an outer casing with at least a first formed projectile situated forwardly within the outer casing and a second formed projectile situated within the outer casing rearwardly of the first projectile. Each of the projectiles may be formed by a method employing commercially available lead shot and forming such shot into the desired configuration, adding a suitable lubricant such as graphite to the formed projectile and then assembling the projectiles into a common outer casing.

States Patent [1 1 Tocco 1 Jan.28, 1975 1 1 MULTl-PROJECTILE ASSEMBLY [76] inventor: Charles Thomas Tocco, Space 35,

21908 Degundre, Warren, Mich. 48091 22 Filed: May 30,1973

21 App1.No.:365,162

Related US. Application Data [631 Continuation of Ser. No. 116,877, Feb. 19, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 102/38, 102/91 [51] Int. Cl. F42b 5/02, F42b 11/10 [58] Field of Search 102/38, 91, 92.3, 92.4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 703,839 7/1902 Scott 102/38 926,431 6/1909 Luger 102/91 1,376,530 5/1921 Greener t 102/38 3,138,102 6/1964 Meyer et a1 t. 102/91 Schirneker 102/38 Robinson 102/924 Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. B-orchelt Assistant ExuminerC. T. Jordan Attorney, Agent, or FirmLon H. Romanski 10 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures Pmmmm 3,862,600

' SHEEI1EJF3 I N VEN TOR.

fazdas 715cm W/" AT TO R NEYS PATENFED N 3,862,800

sum 2 BF 3 1N VEN TOR. CFYar/es $6.60

ATTOFQNEYS 7 PATENTEB 3,862,800-

SHEEI 305 3 1 N VEN TOR.

B CM/es Z000 Wi ATTO RNEYS MULTI-PROJECTILE ASSEMBLY RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 116,877 filed on Feb. 19, 1971, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, various forms of projectiles for use as ammunition for firearms and the like have been proposed. For example, the prior art has suggested the use of hollow or expanding type projectiles or bullets which, upon impact, expand causing the inflection of greater damage to the target. Further, the prior art has suggested the use of composite projectiles which are found to be of a generally unitary configuration thereby adding length to the projectile mainly for long range accuracy but which upon impact with the target separates into two separate projectiles of relatively short length which, in turn, tend to tumble within the target thereby increasing the damage to the target.

As can be seen in view of the above, the prior art has been primarily concerned with the question as to how to inflect greater damage to the target upon impact therewith. However, the prior art has not proposed any arrangements whereby the chances of striking a target are improved as by, for example, the firing of a hand gun or rifle each of which, as is well known in the art, is provided with spiral grooves (commonly referred to as, rifling) cut in the inner surface of the gun barrel in order to give the projectile or bullet fired therethrough a rotary motion in order to render the flight more accurate.

That is, where one has the opportunity, for example, of firing only one round of ammunition at a target it would be a distinct advantage if greater assurance could be made that the target would be struck even if the aim toward the target was not entirely correct.

Accordingly, the invention as herein disclosed and described is primarily concerned with the provision of such projectile means whereby the probability of striking the target is increased even if the initial aiming of the firearm is hurried and therefore slightly inaccurate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a multi-projectile assembly comprises a casing, a first projectile received in said casing so as to be situated relatively forwardly, at least a second projectile received in said casing so as to be situated rearwardly of said first projectile, and propellant means situated within said casing between said rearwardly disposed projectile and a closed end of said casing.

Also, according to the invention, a method of making a multi-projectile assembly comprises the steps of taking ball shot, forming the ball shot into a projectile having an outer cylindrical surface, lubricating the projectile, repeating the steps to form additional projectiles, and assembling a plurality of such projectiles and propellant into a shell casing.

Various objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein certain details may be omitted from one or more views for purposes of clarity:

FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of a multiprojectile assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating, generally schematically, the steps and stages of a method or process employable in the production of a multi-projectile assembly as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, with portions thereof broken away and in cross-section, of an apparatus employable in at least one of the stages depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary portion, in crosssection, of an other apparatus employable in another stage depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view ofa second embodiment of a multi-projectile assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly broken away and in cross-section, of one ofthe projectiles in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating, generally schematically, the steps or stages of a method or process employable in the production of a muIti-projectile asssmbly as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of apparatus employable in at least one stage of the method depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a first modified form of projectile as shown, for example, in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 10-10 of FIG. 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a second modified form of projectile as shown, for example, in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally on the plane of line 12-12 of FIG. II and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is an axial cross-sectional view of a multiprojectile assembly employing the modified projectiles of FIGS. 9 and 11 along with one of the projectiles of FIG. 5;

FIG, 14 is an axial cross-sectional view of a third em bodiment of a multi-projectile assembly construected in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating, generally schematically, the steps or stages of a method or process employable in the production of a multi-projectile assembly as shown in FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 are each fragmentary views, in cross-section, of various apparatus employable in at least one stage of the method depicted in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 19 is an axial cross-sectional view of a multiprojectile assembly employing therein various configurations of projectiles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-projectile assembly 10, such as could be employed in a hand gun, comprised of a shell or casing 12 containing therein a first or forwardly positioned projectile 14 and a second or rearwardly disposed projectile 16. The space between the base 18 of the cartridge or casing 12 and the inner or rearwardly disposed projectile 16, as is well known in the art, may be filled with a suitable propellant powder charge 20.

The amount and type of charge employed, as is well known in the art, may be determined based on the weight of the projectiles employed and the muzzle velocity desired.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, both projectiles l4 and 16 are formed to be of a right cylindrical configuration. That is, for example, projectile 14 has a cylindrical outer wall 22 and generally flat disc-like forward and rear end walls 24 and 26. Projectile 16 is similar to projectile 14 and therefore elements or portions thereof like or similar to those of projectile 14 are identified with like reference numbers with a suffix, a.

The shell or casing 12 is, of course, provided with any suitable firing primer, as is well known in the art, whereby when struck ignition of the propellant 20 is achieved driving the forward and rearward projectiles 14 and 16 out of the casing 12 and through the gun barrel. The rifling of the gun barrel engages the outer diameter or surface of the projectiles, as 22 of projectile 14 and 22a of projectile 16, causing rotation thereof about their respective axes of revolution.

It should be apparent, in view of the above, that since the exploding propellant 20 is situated rearwardly of the inner or second projectile 16, the forward projectile 14 is driven outwardly through the pushing action of the inner projectile 16. Consequently, the projectiles l4 and 16 leave the gun barrel in abutting or tandem fashion assuming the configuration of a single projectile. Further, because of the rifling within the gun barrel, both projectiles l4 and 16 are rotating, about their central axis, at the same angular velocity.

Through experimentation, however, it has been determined that such projectiles 14 and 16 when fired in the manner set forth above, while in flight actually separate from each other and assume slightly divergent trajectories. For example, during certain tests conducted with 45-caliber ammunition constructed in accordance with the teachings of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and employing hand fabricated projectiles as shown at 14 and 16, it was found that the projectiles struck the same target at points spaced approximately 3.0 to 4.0 inches from each other where the muzzle to target distance was in the order of 20 to yards.

It is believed that the reason that projectiles 14 and 16 are able to separate in flight and assume divergent trajectories is because of the wind resistance experienced by the projectiles l4 and 16. That is, with reference to FIG. 1, it can be seen that in the preferred embodiment, each of the projectiles is so formed as to have either chamfered or rounded corners at the intersection of the cylindrical outer surface and end walls as at 28 and of projectile 14 and 28a and 30a of projectile 16. Accordingly, it can be seen that the rounded or chamfered corners 28a and 30 when brought into juxtaposition define a somewhat annular recess or groove. Therefore, during flight, in addition to the air drag along the outer surface and the rifling grooves in the cylindrical section 22a of projectile tending to somewhat retard the movement of projectile 16 with respect to projectile 14, the said annular groove or recess formed by corners 28a and 30 also cause an additional wind or air resistance against projectile 16 thereby bringing about an initial degree of separation between the projectiles l4 and 16. Such separation of projectiles increases, because of added air wind effect as soon as the initial separation is accomplished, causing rearward projectile 16 to assume a trajectory deviating from the continued trajectory of projectile 14. Through further experimentation and testing it was discovered that various degrees of separation of the projectiles, at the time of impact with the target area, could be achieved depending on such factors as, for example, the weight of the respective projectiles, muzzle velocity and the size and shape of the rounded corners 28, 30 and 28a, 30a.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a method employable in the construction of the multi-projectile assembly in FIG. 1. The method, in its basics, comprises starting with a commercially available lead shot 32 which is of spherical or ball configuration, working and forming the ball lead shot 32 into a generally cylindrical slug 34 as at a station or stage 36, applying a suitable lubricant to the formed cylindrical lead slug as at a stage 38 resulting in a correctly sized and lubricated projectile as at 14 of FIG. 2 and, as at a stage 40, assembling the propellant and projectiles into a casing as 12 thereby resulting in the finished multi-projectile assembly 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates a manually actuated press assembly 42 which may comprise the apparatus of step or station 36 of FIG. 2. The press assembly 42 is illustrated as comprising a base 44 with an upwardly extending column 46 supporting atop thereof guide bushings 48 and 50, through which a suitable ram 52 is slideably received, and a rotatable gear 54 engaged with a gear rack 56 formed in the ram 52. An extended actuating handle 58 secured to a journalled shaft 60 which is in driving connection with gear 54 enables the counterclockwise rotation of gear 54 to thereby provide a downward driving force to the ram 52.

An annular die insert 62 is positioned within the base 44 as to have its sized aperture 64 in axial alignment with a lower end or extension 66 of ram 52 which is slideably receivable therein. A cup like pad 68 is slideably received within passage 64 and is normally urged upwardly by a compression spring 70.

In operation, a lead shot ball 32 is positioned generally atop passage 64 as shown in phantom line. Depending on the size of the lead shot 32 and the size of the die passage 64, the lead shot 32 may actually fit rather loosely in the die passage 64. In such event, the pad 68 would serve to hold the lead shot 32 upwardly because of spring 70.

As the crank or handle 58 is rotated counterclockwise, the ram 52 is moved downwardly pushing the ball shot 32 forwardly thereof until the pad 68 bottoms-out preventing further downward motion of the ball shot 32. However, with an increased force applied to the ram 52, the ball shot 32 is worked and formed into a generally cylindrical slug-like configuration 34 with the outer cylindrical surface thereof being determined by the inner surface of die passage 64 and the respective opposite flat ends of the slug 34 being determined by the lower end of ram extension 66 and the upper surface of pad 68.

It has been found that with the application of approximately lbs/square inch pressure to a ball shot as of a size commercially graded as 0-0 (employable in manufacturing projectiles of the invention of a 45 caliber), that the rounded or chamfered corners such as at 28 and 30 of FIG. 1 are automatically produced during the slug-forming operation. Such rounded or chamfered corners are believed to appear as a natural consequence of the fact that a ball shot is employed in forming the slug 34. That is, the spherical configuration of the lead ball shot tends to perpetuate itself during the forming operation thereby resulting in the rounded or chamfered corners 28 and 30. However, it should be apparent that such rounded or chamfered corners could be diminished and possibly effectively totally eliminated, if such be desired, by the application of a greater force through the ram 52 during the slugforming process.

After the slug 34 is formed as at station 36, it is then coated and/or impregnated with a suitable lubricant in a manner and by such means as, for example, depicted by the apparatus of FIG. 4 which is illustrated as comprising a suitable base or body 72 with a sized passageway 74 formed therethrough so as to closely or even tightly accommodate the formed lead slug 34. The inner surface of passageway 74 may have formed therein a spiral groove or recess 76 which is placed in communication as with a chamber 78 functioning as a reservoir or supply source for graphite 80 contained therein.

A suitable ram mechanism generally schematically illustrated at 82 may be comprised of a first ram 52a, similar to ram 52 of FIG. 3, and a second ram 84 which may be spring loaded including a lost-motion connection 86 to actuating means 88, similar to that of FIG. 3, which when actuated cause both rams 52a and 84 to move downwardly.

Ram 52a, when moved downwardly, experiences a positive displacement causing the slug 34 to be forcibly moved downwardly through passage 74. However, be cause of the spring loading and lost motion connection to ram 84, such ram 84 will move downwardly against the loose graphite 80 until it applies a force thereagainst sufficient to overcome the resilient biasing and then coming within the action of the lost motion connecting means. The purpose of applying a force or pressure to the loose graphite 80 is to force such graphite into the groove 76 as the slug 34 is being pushed therethrough in order to further impregnate the outer cylindrical surface of slug 34 in order to enhance the lubrication thereof. One commercially available apparatus directly useful in performing such a function is known in the general trade as a Lyman Sizer and Luber. The apparatus of FIG. 4 is, of course, employable as structure comprising station or stage 38 of FIG. 2. The completion of the operation at stage 38 results in a fully formed and lubricated projectile 14 as generally depicted in FIG. 2. Subsequently, at station 40, in a manner well known in the art, the shell casing 12, propellant charge and at least two of the formed and lubricated projectiles are assembled and the casing 12 suitably crimped resulting in the multi-projectile assembly 10 of both FIGS. 2 and 1.

It should be made clear that even though the stations 36 and 38 have been schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 as being two separate and distinct steps or stations, such, nevertheless, could be combined to comprise a single step or station wherein the multiple operations could be accomplished generally simultaneously or serially in a single apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of a multiprojectile assembly 90 as comprising a shell or casing 92 containing therein a first or forwardly positioned projectile 94, a second rearwardly disposed projectile 96 and a third further rearwardly disposed projectile 98. The space between the base 100 of the cartridge or casing 92 and the inner or third rearwardly disposed projectile 98, as is well known in the art, may be filled with a suitable propellant powder charge 102. As in the first embodiment, the amount and type of charge 102 employed, as is well known in the art, may be determined based on the weight of the projectiles employed and the muzzle velocity desired. As typically illustrated by projectile 94 in enlarged scale in FIG. 6, each ofthe projectiles is formed of a generally conical configura-- tion having a relatively short outer cylindrical body surface 104, receivable within the cartridge or shell casing 92, and a forwardly extending conical end surface 106. Further, the trailing or rear end of the projectile also has a conical dished-in surface 108 formed therein.

Through experimentation and testing it has been found that the included angle 8 of the forward conical surface 106 is preferably in the order of 84 and that the included angle A of the rear conical surface 108 is also preferably in the order of 84. However, it should be made clear that the invention as herein disclosed and claimed is not to be considered as being limited to the use of 84 in the formation of the forward and rearward cone surfaces nor is it to be limited to the formation of such projectiles wherein the included angle of the forward cone surface is the same as the included angle of the rearward cone surface because tests have indicated that: (a) the included angles of both the forward and rearward cone surfaces may be considerably varied from the preferred included angle of 84 and yet obtain satisfactory performance with such projectiles and (b) the included angle ofthe forward cone surface 106 can be substantially different from the rearward cone surface 108 without any apparent impairment of performance of such projectiles.

It should be apparent, in view of the above, that since the exploding propellant 102 is situated rearwardly of the innermost or third projectile 98, the forwardly disposed projectiles 94 and 96 are driven outwardly through the pushing action of projectile 98. Consequently, the projectiles 94, 96 and 98 leave the gun barrel in abutting or tandem fashion assuming, through their general nesting in each other, the configuration of a single projectile. Further, because ofthe rifling within the gun barrel, all of the projectiles 94, 96 and 98 are rotating, about their central axis, at the same angular velocity.

Through experimentation, however, it has been determined that such projectiles 94, 96 and 98 when fired in the manner set forth above, while in flight, actually separate from each other and assume slightly divergent trajectories. For example, during certain tests with 45- caliber ammunition constructed in accordance with the teachings of the embodiment of FIG. 5, and employing hand fabricated projectiles as shown at 94, 96 and 98, it was found that the projectiles struck the same target at points spaced approximately 3.0 to 4.0 inches from each other where the muzzle to target distance was in order of 20 to 25 yards.

It is believed that the reason that projectiles 94, 96 and 98 are able to separate in flight and assume divergent trajectories is because of the variations in wind resistance experienced by the projectiles 94, 96 and 98.

That is, because of the streamlined configuration of the leading conical surface 106 of projectile 94, it continues in a first path or trajectory while the air drag along the outer surface and the rifling grooves in cylindrical surfaces 104 of projectiles 96, 98 tend to somewhat re tard the movement of projectiles 96 and 98 with respect to projectile 94.

Further, with, reference to FIGS. and 6, it can be seen that in the preferred form, each of the projectiles is so formed as to have either a chamfered or rounded corner 110 at the intersection of the outer cylindrical surface 104 and the generally annular transverse end surface 113. Accordingly, it can be seen that even when a plurality of projectiles are nested or stacked in each other, as in FIG. 5, the rounded or chamfered corner 110 functions to help to generally define a somewhat annular groove or recess as between juxtaposed projectiles. Therefore, it is believed that during flight, in addition to the air drag along the outer surfaces and rifling grooves in the cylindrical surfaces 104 of projectiles 96 and 98, the annular grooves at least partially defined by the rounded or chamfered corners 110 cause an additional wind or air resistance against the next trailing projectile thereby enhancing the separation characteristics of each of the trailing projectiles. During further experimentation it was found that various degrees of separation of the projectiles, at the point of impact with the target area, could be achieved depending on such factors as, for example, the weight of the respective projectiles, muzzle velocity and the size and shape of the rounded corners 104.

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a method employable in the construction of a multi-projectile assembly as in FIG. 5. The method, in its basics, comprises starting with a commercially available lead shot 112 which is of spherical or ball configuration, forming the ball lead shot into a conical slug and lubricating such a slug as at a station or stage 114 resulting in a lubricated projectile as at 116 of FIG. 7, and, as at a station or stage 118, assembling the propellant and projectiles into a casing as 92 thereby resulting in the finished muIti-projectile assembly 90.

FIG. 8 illustrates in cross-section a fragmentary portion of a forming press assembly 120, which may in fact be functionally similar to that of FIG. 3. However, for purposes of disclosure, the press assembly 120 may be comprised of a suitable die body 122 having a die aperture or passageway 124 formed therein and positioned as to be in alignment with a vertically extending ram 126. A lower die body 128, which may be an insert received within the passageway 124, has an upper concave conical surface 130 formed thereon while the ram 126 is provided with a lower end portion of a convex conical surface 132 defining an upper die surface.

In operation, a lead shot ball 134 is positioned generally atop or within passage 124 as shown in phantom line. The ram 126 is then caused to move downwardly forcing the ball shot 134 through the die passageway 124 until it bottoms against the lower end die surface 130 thereby generally preventing the further downward movement of the ball shot 134. However, with an increased force applied by the ram 126 the ball shot 134 is mechanically cold worked and formed into the conical or nose-cone slug configuration 136 with the outer cylindrical surface thereof being determined by the inner surface of die passageway 124 and the respective end surfaces being determined by the lower end 132 of the ram 126 and the upper surface of the die insert 128. It has been determined that ball shot commercially graded as a size 0-0 can be employed in the manufacture or projectiles, as 94 of FIG. 5, for use in a 45-caliber firearm.

Further, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, it has been found that the rounded or chamfered corner is automatically produced during the slug-forming operation. Again, such a rounded or chamfered corner is believed to appear as a natural consequence of the fact that a ball shot is employed in forming the slug 136. That is, the spherical configuration of the lead ball shot tends to perpetuate itself during the forming operation thereby resulting in the rounded or chamfered corner 110. As generally indicated before, it should be apparent that the size of such rounded or chamfered corner could be diminished and possibly effectively totally eliminated, if such be desired, by the application of a greater force through the ram 126 during the slugforming process.

After theslug 136 is formed as described above, it is than impregnated with a suitable lubricant, such as graphite, in the same general manner as described with reference to FIG. 4. However, as also described with reference to FIG. 4, it is, contemplated that such lubrication or impregnation of graphite could be performed at a single step or station, such as at 114.

Nevertheless, after the slug 136 is formed and suitably lubricated it evolves as a projectile 116, FIG. 7,

which, as at station 118, in a manner well known in the art, is assembled along with suitable propellant and other projectiles within a casing 92, which is suitably crimped, resulting in the multi-projectile assembly 90 of both FIGS, 5 and 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrates a further modification of the projectiles as shown in FIG. 1; the modification of FIGS. 9 and 10 contemplate the formation of a centrally disposed passageway 138 which would enhance the expansion characteristics of the projectile 9411 upon impact with the target. 7

In FIG. 11 and 12 another modification of the multiprojectile 94 is illustrated as including transversely extending crossed slots 140 and 142 formed therein. Again, the provision of such crossed slots enhances the expanding characteristics of the projectile 94]) upon impact with the target.

FIG. 13 illustrates a multi-projectile assembly 144 employing a plurality of projectiles one of the kind shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the others respectively as shown in FIGS. 9, l0 and FIGS. 11 and 12. As can be seen, the projectiles 94, 94a and 94b are arranged in a manner so as not to have, for example, the solid projectile 94 forward most and the cut-through projectiles 94a and 94b behind it. This is done so as to trap all of the expanding gases of the the exploding propellant 102 and not permit the passage thereof through the cut-away portions of the expanding type projectiles. In an arrangement such as in FIG. 13 wherein at least three projectiles are employed, it should be apparent that, for example, projectile 94b could be situated forward most, and projectile 94a situated rearward most with projectile 94 being sandwiched therebetween. This, too, would prevent the escape of such expanding gases.

FIG. 14 illustrates a third embodiment of a multiprojectile assembly 146 as comprising a shell or casing 148 containing therein a first for forwardly positioned projectile 150 and a second rearwardly disposed projectile 152. The space between the base 154 of the cartridge or casing 148 and the inner disposed projectile 152, as is well known in the art, may be filled with a suitable propellant powder charge 156. As in the previous embodiments, the amount and type of charge 156 employed may be determined based on the weight of the projectiles employed and the muzzle velocity de sired.

As generally typically illustrated by projectile 152, each of the projectiles is formed to have a cylindrical main body portion 158, receivable within the cartridge or shell casing 148 and a forwardly extending conical end surface 160. Further, the trailing or rear end of the projectile also has a conical dished-in surface 162 formed therein. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 9 and 11, it is preferred that the included angle D of the forward conical surface 160 and the included angle C of the rear conical surface 162 each be in the order of 84. Of course, as before, the invention is not to be considered as being limited to the magnitude of 84 nor limited to having the forward and rearward conical surfaces of like included angle.

In view of the above, it should be apparent that since the exploding propellant 156 is situated rearwardly of the inntermost projectile 152, the forwardly disposed projectile 156 will be driven outwardly through the pushing action of inner projectile 152. Consequently, as with the embodiment of FIG. 5, projectiles 150 and 152 leave the gun barrel in abutting or tandem fashion assuming, through their general nesting in each other, the configuration of a single projectile. Also, because of the rifling within the gun barrel, all of the projectiles 150 and 152 are rotating, about their central axis, at the same angular velocity.

It has also been determined that such projectiles 150 and 152 when fired in the manner set forth above, while in flight, actually separate from each other and assume slightly divergent trajectories. For example, during certain tests with 45-caliber ammunition constructed generally in accordance with the teachings of the embodiment of FIG. 14, and employing hand fabricated projectiles as shown at, for example, 152, it was found that the projectiles struck the same target at points spaced approximately 3.0 to 4.0 inches from each other where the muzzle to target distance was in the order of to yards.

It is believed that the reason that projectiles 150 and 152 are able to separate in flight and assume divergent trajectories is because of the variations in wind resistance experienced by the projectiles 150 and 152. That is, because of the streamlined configuration of the leading conical surface 160 of projectile 150, it continues in a first path or trajectory while the air drag along the outer surface and the rifling grooves in cylindrical surfaces 158 of projectiles 150 and 152 tend to somewhat retard the movement of projectiles 152 with respect to projectile 150.

Further, still with reference to FIG. 14, it can be seen that in the preferred form, each of the projectiles 150 and 152 is so formed as to have either a chamfered or rounded corner 164 at the intersection of the outer cylindrical surface 158 and the generally annular transverse end surface 166. Accordingly, it can be seen that even when a plurality of projectiles are nested or stacked in each other, as in FIG. 14, the rounded or chamfered corner 164 functions to help to generally define a somewhat annular groove or recess as between juxtaposed projectiles. Therefore, it is believed that during flight, in addition to the air drag along the outer surface and rifling grooves of the trailing projectile, the annular grooves at least partially defined by the rounded or chamfered corner 164 cause an additional wind or air resistance against the trailing projectile thereby enhancing the separation characteristics of the projectiles. Further experimentation has indicated that various degrees of separation of the projectiles, at the point of impact with the target area, could be achieved depending on such factors as, for example, the weight of the respective projectiles, muzzle velocity and the size and shape of the rounded corner 164.

FIG. 15 schematically depicts a method employable in the construction of a multi-projectile assembly as that of FIG. 14. The method, in its basics, comprises starting with a commercially available lead shot 168 which is of spherical or ball configuration, forming the ball lead shot into a conical slug as at a station 170, lubricating such a slug as at a subsequent station 172 resulting in a lubricated projectile as at 174 of FIG. 15

and, as at a station 176, assembling the propellant and projectiles into a casing 148 thereby resulting in the finished multi-projectile assembly 146.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 each illustrate in cross-section a fragmentary portion of a forming press assembly 178, which may in fact be functionally similar to that of FIGS. 3 or 8. However, with reference to FIG. 16 and for purposes of disclosure, the press assembly 178 may be comprised of a suitable die body 180 having a die aperture or passageway 182 formed therein and positioned as to be in alignment with a vertically extending ram 184. A lower die body 186, which may be an insert received within the passageway 182, has an upper concave conical surface 188 formed thereon while the ram 184 is provided with a lower end portion of a convex conical surface defining an upper die surface.

In operation, a lead shot ball 168 is positioned generally atop or within passage 182. The ram 184 is then caused to move downwardly forcing the ball shot 168 through the die passageway 182 until it bottoms against the lower end die surface 188 thereby generally pre venting further downward movement of the ball shot 168. However, with an increased force applied by the ram 184 the ball 168 is cold worked and formed into the conical slug configuration 192 with the outer cylindrical surface thereof being determined by the inner surface of die passageway 182 and the respective end surfaces being determined by the lower end 190 of the ram 184 and the upper surface 188 of die insert 186. It has been determined that lead ball shot commercially graded as No. 2 buckshot or 36-caliber musket ball can be employed in the manufacture of projectiles, as 150 or 152 of FIG. 14, for use in a 45-caliber firearm.

Further, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 5, it has been found that the rounded or chamfered corner 164 is automatically produced during the slug-forming operation for such reasons as were already set forth in regard to the preceeding embodiments.

After the slug 192 is formed as described above, it is then impregnated with a suitable lubricant, such as graphite, in the same general manner as described with reference to FIG. 4, as at station 172 of FIG. 15. However, as also described with reference to FIG. 4, it is contemplated that such lubrication or impregnation of graphite could be performed at a single step or station.

Nevertheless, after slug 192 is formed and suitably lubricated it evolves as a projectile 174 (FIG. 15) which, as at station 176, in a manner well known in the art, is assembled along with suitable propellant and other projectiles within a casing 148, which is suitably crimped, resulting in the multi-projectile assembly 146 of both FIGS. 14 and 15.

In FIGS. 17 and 18, all elements which are like or similar to those of FIG. 16 are identified with like reference numerals respectively with a suffix"a and b.

In comparing FIG. 17 to FIG. 16, it can be seen that in FIG. 17, the lower die insert 186a has its die surface 188a modified as at 194 to accommodate the placement therein of a ball 196 which, in fact, may be what is commonly referred to as a B-B shot comprised of steel and a copper clad. It can be seen that the B-B 196 can be centrally securedto the forward'end of projectile-slug 192a during the forming process thereof because of the portions 198 of slug 192a which wrap around the ball B-B" to a degree past the transverse diameter thereof thereby serving to hold the 8-8 within the pocket 200 which it formed in the slug 192a. The provision of such a BB in the nose of the slug 192a results in a generally expanding type projectile; that is, upon impact with the target the relatively hard B-B tends to move, relatively, through the center of the projectile body thereby causing the projectile body to expand radially outwardly inflicting greater damage to the target.

In FIG. 18, the die insert 186b has been modified to accept a second insert 202 which, in the illustrated example, is of a generally cylindrical configuration. The purpose of such a cylindrical insert 202, for example, is to form a generally cylindrical chamber 204 within the forward end of the slug 192b during the forming process thereof, so as to, for example, subsequently re ceive therein a percussion actuated primer 206 as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 19. As should be apparent, in view of the above, when a projectile such as 150 with a primer 206 strikes a target, the primer 206 explodes causing fragementation of the projectile body.

FIG. 19 illustrates, in axial cross-section a multiprojectile assembly 208 comprised of a shell casing or cartridge 210 containing in nested relationship a forward projectile 150 with a primer 206, two projectiles 94a (as previously disclosed and described with reference to FIGS. 9 and and a trailing projectile 152. As in the other embodiments, a suitable propellant charge 212 is placed between the trailing projectile 152 and the end wall 214 of cartridge 210.

Contrary to accepted belief in the prior art, it has been found that it is not necessary to have the length of the cylindrical body portion of the projectile at least equal to or greater than the diameter thereof. In fact, as clearly shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the length L of projectile 14 is considerably less than its diameter d, and the length L of projectile 94 is much less than the diameter d thereof. However, depending on the size of the lead shot employed in fabricating the projectile and the caliber of the particular projectile being formed, the length of such cylindrical portion may be equal to or greater than the diameter thereof. This is somewhat illustrated in FIG. wherein the length L of the cylindrical portion 158 more nearly approaches the dimension d of the diameter thereof. Although the invention should not be interpreted as being so limited, it should be brought out that during testing excellent results have been obtained with such multi-projectile assemblies wherein projectiles constructed in accordance with the invention had their respective cylindrical lengths, L,

and their respective diameters varying from length-tolength ratios in the order of 3:22 to 6:7

The various embodiments and modifications of the invention have been described with reference to the use of commercially available lead shot; further, it has also been disclosed with regard to the method of forming projectiles from such shot that additional lubrication of the formed slug was to be made. With regard thereto, it should be made clear that when commercially available lead shot is employed in the formation of such slugs, the use of additional lubricants such as graphite is not believed to be entirely necessary but is desirable. That is, such commercial lead shot already has an ab'undance'of graphite contained therein and such contained-graphite would provide, at least in most situations, a sufficient degree oflubrication for the projectile as it passes through the gun barrel and in so doing engages the rifling formed within the gun barrel. However, as stated, it is nevertheless preferred that additional lubrication be provided so as to completely assure against the leading of gun barrel and rifling by such projectiles. When graphite is thusly employed as the lubricant and applied in the manner as described, for example, with reference to FIG. 4, it has been found that such graphite is impregnated into the outer cylindrical surface of the slug or projectile to a radial depth in the order of 0.0015 inch.

However, it is conceivable that in high volume production, a source of lead other than commercially available ready formed lead shot could be employed. In such instances, depending upon the constituents comprising the source oflead, additional lubrication may or may not be indicated. It should also be made clear that the term lead as used in the appended claims is intended to cover both commercially pure lead and lead alloys as the case may be.

Further, with regard to FIG. 4 as well as the methods schematically illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7 and 15, it has also been discovered that in some instances it is desirable to size the slug previously formed as in the apparatus of either FIGS. 3, 8, 16, 17 or 18. That is, after the slug is first formed, it may then be processed through a structure such as that of FIG. 4 wherein the passageway thereof is slightly smaller than the original die passageway thereby tending to somewhat iron" or shave possible irregularties out of the outer diameter of the slug and make it more dimensionally perfect.

As already indicated, the projectiles of the invention have been found to have extremely accurate flight, within the limits of any desired pattern of spread at impact with the target, even though some of the projectiles such as those of FIGS. 5 and 14 have very short body lengths. The fact that even such very short projectiles exhibit accurate flight is believed to be the result of the spinning thereof due to the barrel rifling as well as the rearward hollow cone area which apparently acts much in the same manner as the feathers on an arrow in providing stability in flight.

Even though only a select number of embodiments and modifications of the invention have been disclosed and described, it is apparent that other embodiments and modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multi-projectile assembly for use in a firearm having a barrel with rifling formed therein, comprising a casing having a tubular wall portion with an exit end forwardly thereof, a first non-jacketed lead projectile received in said casing so as to be situated generally forwardly, said first projectile including a first body having a first outer surface of continuous circular configuration of substantially constant diameter when viewed in cross-section normal to the axis of said tubular wall portion so as to thereby cause full surface-tosurface contact as between the lead of said first outer surface and said tubular wall portion over the entire axial length of said first outer surface received within and in contact with said tubular wall portion, said first projectile also comprising a first formed forward end surface and a first formed rearward end surface, said first formed forward end surface defining a first generally convex surface for enhancing the passage of said first projectile through the air, said first formed rearward end surface defining a first generally concave tapered surface, a second non-jacketed lead projectile received in said casing so as to be situated rearwardly of said first projectile in abutting but not cemented relationship thereto, said second projectile including a second body having a second outer surface of continuous circular configuration of substantially constant diameter when viewed in cross-section normal to the axis of said tubular wall portion so as to thereby cause full surface-to-surface contact as between the lead of said second outer surface and said tubular wall portion over the entire axial length of said second outer surface tightly received within and in contact with said tubular wall portion, said second projectile also comprising a second formed forward end surface and a second formed rearward end surface, said second formed forward end surface defining a second generally convex tapered surface extending totally transversely across said second body as to taperingly meet said second outer surface, said second formed rearward end surface defining a second generally concave tapered surface, said first and second projectiles being so situated within said tubular wall portion as to have said first concave surface in abutting relationship to said second convex surface, each of said concave and said second convex surfaces being of a generally conical configuration complementary to each other and providing for mating engagement with each other when said first and second projectiles are situated in said tubular wall portion, propellant means carried by said casing rearwardly of said second projectile, said propellant means being effective upon release of its energy to propel said first and second projectiles out of said exit end of said casing in tandem abutting fashion maintaining the full surface of said first concave surface in abutting relationship with said second convex surface during the full length of travel of said projectiles through said barrel of said firearm and with said first and second outer surfaces being effective for engaging and having the rifling of said firearm pass through the lead comprising said outer surfaces and partly through said first and second bodies, and an annular peripheral groove conjointly formed by said first formed rearward end and said second formed forward end for causing a degree of air turbulence and thereby affecting axial separation of said first and second projectiles only after said projectiles have exited the end of said firearm barrel.

2. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, including a third non-jacketed lead projectile received in said casing so as to be situated rearwardly of said second projectile, said third projectile including a third body having a third outer surface of continuous circular configuration of substantially constant diameter when viewed in cross-section normal to the axis of said tubular wall portion so as to thereby cause full surfaceto-surface contact as between the lead comprising said third outer surface and said tubular wall portion over the entire axial length of said third outer surface tightly received within said tubular wall portion, said third projectile comprising a third formed forward end surface of a convex conical configuration, and a third formed rearward end surface defining a third concave conical surface, said second concave surface and said third convex surfaces being complementary to each other and in mating engagement with each other, and wherein said propellant is compacted in said casing rearwardly of said third projectile as to fill the space defined by said third concave surface.

3. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first forward end surface has an opening formed therein, said opening functioning to permit the more ready radial expansion of said first forward end surface upon impact with a related target,

4. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 3, wherein said opening comprises crossed slotted portlons.

5. A r'nulti-projectile assembly according to claim 2,

wherein at least one of said first and second projectiles has a passageway formed axially through the body thereof while said body of said third projectile is devoid of any passageway 'formed therethrough.

6. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first projectile includes crossed slotted portions formed in said first formed forward end thereof, and wherein said second projectile includes a passageway formed axially through the body thereof.

7. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim I, wherein the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of at least one of said projectiles is in a ratio to the diameter thereof in the order of 3:22.

8. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of at least one of said projectiles is in a ratio to the diameter thereof in the order of 6:7.

9. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of at least one of said projectiles is in a ratio to the diameter thereofin the order ofa range from 3:22 to 6:7.

10. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first projectile is truncated at the rearward end thereof so as to define an annular rearward surface transversely normal to the axis of said first outer cylindrical surface circumscribing said first concave surface when viewed in a direction axially of said first concave surface, said annular rearward surfiace generally intersecting and terminating the otherwise extension of said first concave surface to said tubular wall portion thereby creating an annular space of generally righttriangular configuration when viewed in axial crosssection, said space of triangular cross-sectional configuration being cooperatively defined by said triangular wall portion, a portion of said second convex surface of said second projectile and said annular rearward surface, wherein said annular rearward surface and said tubular wall portion each form one leg of said generally right-triangular configuration and said portion of said second convex surface forms the hypotenuse of said generally right-triangular configuration, and wherein said annular space comprises said annular peripheral groove. 

1. A multi-projectile assembly for use in a firearm having a barrel with rifling formed therein, comprising a casing having a tubular wall portion with an exit end forwardly thereof, a first non-jacketed lead projectile received in said casing so as to be situated generally forwardly, said first projectile including a first body having a first outer surface of continuous circular configuration of substantially constant diameter when viewed in cross-section normal to the axis of said tubular wall portion so as to thereby cause full surface-to-surface contact as between the lead of said first outer surface and said tubular wall portion over the entire axial length of said first outer surface received within and in contact with said tubular wall portion, said first projectile also comprising a first formed forward end surface and a first formed rearward end surface, said first formed forward end surface defining a first generally convex surface for enhancing the passage of said first projectile through the air, said first formed rearward end surface defining a first generally concave tapered surface, a second nOn-jacketed lead projectile received in said casing so as to be situated rearwardly of said first projectile in abutting but not cemented relationship thereto, said second projectile including a second body having a second outer surface of continuous circular configuration of substantially constant diameter when viewed in cross-section normal to the axis of said tubular wall portion so as to thereby cause full surface-to-surface contact as between the lead of said second outer surface and said tubular wall portion over the entire axial length of said second outer surface tightly received within and in contact with said tubular wall portion, said second projectile also comprising a second formed forward end surface and a second formed rearward end surface, said second formed forward end surface defining a second generally convex tapered surface extending totally transversely across said second body as to taperingly meet said second outer surface, said second formed rearward end surface defining a second generally concave tapered surface, said first and second projectiles being so situated within said tubular wall portion as to have said first concave surface in abutting relationship to said second convex surface, each of said concave and said second convex surfaces being of a generally conical configuration complementary to each other and providing for mating engagement with each other when said first and second projectiles are situated in said tubular wall portion, propellant means carried by said casing rearwardly of said second projectile, said propellant means being effective upon release of its energy to propel said first and second projectiles out of said exit end of said casing in tandem abutting fashion maintaining the full surface of said first concave surface in abutting relationship with said second convex surface during the full length of travel of said projectiles through said barrel of said firearm and with said first and second outer surfaces being effective for engaging and having the rifling of said firearm pass through the lead comprising said outer surfaces and partly through said first and second bodies, and an annular peripheral groove conjointly formed by said first formed rearward end and said second formed forward end for causing a degree of air turbulence and thereby affecting axial separation of said first and second projectiles only after said projectiles have exited the end of said firearm barrel.
 2. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, including a third non-jacketed lead projectile received in said casing so as to be situated rearwardly of said second projectile, said third projectile including a third body having a third outer surface of continuous circular configuration of substantially constant diameter when viewed in cross-section normal to the axis of said tubular wall portion so as to thereby cause full surface-to-surface contact as between the lead comprising said third outer surface and said tubular wall portion over the entire axial length of said third outer surface tightly received within said tubular wall portion, said third projectile comprising a third formed forward end surface of a convex conical configuration, and a third formed rearward end surface defining a third concave conical surface, said second concave surface and said third convex surfaces being complementary to each other and in mating engagement with each other, and wherein said propellant is compacted in said casing rearwardly of said third projectile as to fill the space defined by said third concave surface.
 3. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first forward end surface has an opening formed therein, said opening functioning to permit the more ready radial expansion of said first forward end surface upon impact with a related target.
 4. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 3, wherein said opening comprises crossed slotted portions.
 5. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second projectiles has a passageway formed axially through the body thereof while said body of said third projectile is devoid of any passageway formed therethrough.
 6. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first projectile includes crossed slotted portions formed in said first formed forward end thereof, and wherein said second projectile includes a passageway formed axially through the body thereof.
 7. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of at least one of said projectiles is in a ratio to the diameter thereof in the order of 3:22.
 8. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of at least one of said projectiles is in a ratio to the diameter thereof in the order of 6:7.
 9. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein the axial length of the outer cylindrical surface of at least one of said projectiles is in a ratio to the diameter thereof in the order of a range from 3:22 to 6:7.
 10. A multi-projectile assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first projectile is truncated at the rearward end thereof so as to define an annular rearward surface transversely normal to the axis of said first outer cylindrical surface circumscribing said first concave surface when viewed in a direction axially of said first concave surface, said annular rearward surface generally intersecting and terminating the otherwise extension of said first concave surface to said tubular wall portion thereby creating an annular space of generally right-triangular configuration when viewed in axial cross-section, said space of triangular cross-sectional configuration being cooperatively defined by said triangular wall portion, a portion of said second convex surface of said second projectile and said annular rearward surface, wherein said annular rearward surface and said tubular wall portion each form one leg of said generally right-triangular configuration and said portion of said second convex surface forms the hypotenuse of said generally right-triangular configuration, and wherein said annular space comprises said annular peripheral groove. 